Shaw's Chad Boyd picks Louisiana Tech football

As a two-time All-State selection, Shaw defensive back Chad Boyd does not lack for credentials.

He also no longer lacks for a college playing destination.

Boyd verbally committed to Louisiana Tech on Tuesday night and announced his decision Wednesday after making an official visit to the Ruston campus last weekend. Boyd was recruited by Tech secondary coach and recruiting coordinator Terry Joseph.

“Before the season (Louisiana Tech had) been the No. 1 school recruiting me,” Boyd said in explaining his choice. “Coach Joseph would call me. (Louisiana Tech) Coach (Derek) Dooley would call me. They came to my house and visited with me and my family before anybody else. They showed me the most interest. They showed me that they wanted me.”

Boyd, 5-feet-10, 195 pounds with 4.5 speed in the 40, is Tech’s 23rd recruit for 2009, the 12th in-state commitment and fifth prospect from the New Orleans metro area to choose the Bulldogs.

Boyd is the fifth defensive back in Tech’s 2009 class and the seventh three-star prospect, according to Rivals.com rankings. Boyd is fully qualified with a 19 on the ACT and a 2.9 grade-point-average.

Tech’s coaches project Boyd as a cornerback with a possibility of seeing playing time as a freshman in coverages featuring five and six defensive backs. A three-year starter, Boyd began his schoolboy career as a cornerback at Shaw before moving to safety during his junior year and remaining at that position. Boyd said Tech’s coaches would reevaluate which position he was best suited for following his freshman year.

“I’ll get a chance to play cornerback as a freshman,” Boyd said. “Then as a sophomore they’re going to allow me to show my skills at safety or corner. They like to get the best players on the field and that’s what I like.”

Boyd also had official offers from Tulane, Northern Illinois, Tulsa, McNeese State and Nicholls State. Despite his commitment, Boyd said he still plans to make his official visit to Northern Illinois that is scheduled for this weekend and possibly make an official visit to Tulane. He said he will not visit Tulsa.

Northern Illinois and Tulane, he said, “are two schools that factored in my decision. I’m still interested in Northern Illinois and what they have to offer. Me and my family are going to go look at Northern Illinois and Tulane. They’re both great schools, but Louisiana Tech is the school I’m committed to right now.”

An extremely strong player particularly for his size with a bench press of 335 pounds and a squat in excess of 500, Boyd was the Defensive Player of the Year on the 2008 Class 4A All-State team after helping Shaw advance to the state finals for a third consecutive season. He had 126 tackles, five interceptions and seven pass break-ups as a senior in addition to recording 12 career interceptions. He also earned All-State honors as a junior and was a three-year starter on teams compiled records of 9-5, 14-1 and 14-1.